Bili EcoStore by KAILOG Cooperative
Hybrid eco store model supplying green microbusinessesesThe social challenge
The Philippines’ plastic pollution crisis is driven in part by the widespread use of single-use sachets, especially in low-income communities where tingi culture makes small, affordable packaging a necessity. Dana Asia started to address this through the eco store social business model, first piloted in partnership with the ALPAS cooperative. However, with the pilot underway along with the rollout of GPMI’s eco sari-sari loan product, a key barrier quickly became clear: there was no reliable, affordable supply of basic plastic-free goods in bulk. Many small-scale green entrepreneurs and micro-retailers interested in reducing plastic waste were unable to source stock locally, making it difficult to offer sustainable alternatives to the widely used single-use sachets. This supply gap threatened the scalability and sustainability of the eco sari-sari store model and limited the spread of zero-waste retail options in low-income neighbourhoods.
Social business solution
The Bili EcoStore was established as both a retail outlet and a wholesale hub to address the supply chain gap. Operated as a community-run social business by the KAILOG Consumers Cooperative, the store stocks plastic-free everyday essentials in bulk, enabling smaller eco sari-sari stores and green enterprises to access affordable refills and low-packaging alternatives. By acting as a central supply point, the Bili EcoStore strengthens the value chain for zero-waste retail across Metro Manila. It maintains the core principles of affordability and environmental sustainability, while also providing a replicable model for supporting the growth of green microenterprises and reducing plastic waste at scale.
Support provided
- Capital as a loan for setup and working capital to establish the store
- Business model development support in partnership with the University of the Philippines Institute of Small-Scale Industries (UP ISSI)
- Training and capacity building for store management in operations and business management
- Impact monitoring frameworks to track waste reduction and economic benefits
Impact
8kg
plastic avoided per month through refilling
8%
consumer savings from shopping refills
10%
reduction in plastic waste per capita
8
eco sari-sari stores supplied by the Bili EcoStore
What’s next?
Building on the success of its initial operations, the Kailog Hybrid Eco Store plans to scale up operations and impact by expanding its range of plastic-free products and strengthening its ability to supply a growing network of GPMI eco sari-sari stores across Metro Manila. This includes developing transport and logistics capacity to facilitate distribution, improving inventory management systems, and forging partnerships with more local and sustainable suppliers. This will help Kailog grow over time to serve as a reliable, centralised wholesale hub supporting more micro-entrepreneurs to run eco-friendly retail businesses and accelerating the shift away from single-use plastics in low-income communities.
“The Bili EcoStore is a pioneering business of KAILOG Consumers Cooperative, offering affordable basic refill-only products for retail and wholesale. We’ll strive to offer low priced quality products while reducing plastic waste for environmental care and protection. We believe in promoting responsible business for the benefit of the community and the cooperative.”
– Jimmy Ceguerra – Manager KAILOG Bili ECOStore
